LTO warns total e-bike ban beginning January 2, 2026
In November last year, Senator JV Ejercito issued a strong warning during the proposed 2026 budget deliberations of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), citing a firm commitment from the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
“Nag-commit po ang ating bagong LTO head na si Asec. Lacanilao that by December 1 [2025], huhulihin na po ang lahat ng mga e-trikes na nasa kalye,” Sen. Ejercito said.
In effect, the senator clarified that all e-bikes—used as a catch-all term for Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs)—will be apprehended if found operating on national highways, signaling stricter enforcement against the growing presence of these vehicles on major roads.
Amid widespread public backlash, particularly from unlicensed drivers of unregistered light electric vehicles (LEVs), the planned enforcement was deferred to January 2, 2026. The announcement was made by LTO Assistant Secretary, Markus Lacanilao, who emphasized that the new date is final and that no further extensions will be granted once enforcement begins.
“At bilang tugon sa mga hinaing ng publiko, nais ko pong linawin, narinig ng ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos at ni Sec. Giovanni Lopez ang inyong concern. Kaya pansamantalang walang impounding operation habang nagpapatupad muna kami ng malawakang information drive upang bigyan ng sapat na panahon ang lahat na maunawaan at maka-sunod sa umiiral na regulasyon. Simula December 1, 2025, magiging visible ang ating mga LTO enforcers and personnel sa mga kalsada para isulong ang information drive at ipaliwanag sa publiko ang tamang paggamit ng LEVs,” said Lacanilao in an earlier statement.
(And in response to the concerns of the public, I would like to clarify that President Bongbong Marcos and Secretary Giovanni Lopez have heard your concerns. Therefore, there will be no impounding operations for now as we first carry out a wide-reaching information drive to give everyone enough time to understand and comply with the existing regulations. Starting December 1, 2025, our LTO enforcers and personnel will be visible on the roads to push the information campaign and explain to the public the proper use of LEVs.)
Bottom line: the LTO is drawing a hard line starting January 2, 2026. All e-bikes and other light electric vehicles (LEVs) found on roads classified as National Highways such as EDSA, C-5, Roxas Boulevard, MacArthur Highway, etc., will be dealt with strict implementation of the law.
For LEV owners, LTO’s message is clear: take them off national highways or risk automatic impoundment, along with additional penalties.
